The COVID-19 lockdown event in early 2020 provided a rare opportunity to directly compare students’ experience in the remote online classroom with their prior experience in the traditional physical classroom. A total of 354 survey responses were analysed statistically. Students’ experience in the remote online classroom was found to be less satisfactory than their experience in the traditional physical classroom. Interaction with fellow students was not satisfactory in the remote online classroom. Interactions with faculty, other students, class materials and educational technology were negatively influenced by the move to remote online learning. Home environment correlated with student learning experience in the remote online classroom but not in the physical classroom. The ambience in the home – noise, disturbance and distraction – was only marginally satisfactory for undergraduate students. Master students were more satisfied with their online classroom experience and with internet connectivity and ambience in their home than were undergraduates.